Google: Chrome Browser Virus or Spam Notifications

Environment

Google Chrome, Windows 11

Issue

I regularly receive notifications in the corner of my screen from my Google Chrome browser. They typically say I have a virus and/or that I need to run a scan for viruses. Many times, these notifications mention or include a picture of well-known antivirus software (e.g., McAfee), regardless of whether the software is actually installed on the computer.

Resolution

This is a SCAM!

A site was able to access and modify your Google Chrome settings to send notifications through the browser. This is typically caused by completing a seemingly innocent CAPTCHA or request to allow a site access to Google Chrome.

To resolve the issue and prevent the scam from continuing to send notifications through Chrome:

  1. Confirm that the notifications are actually coming from Google Chrome by locating the Google Chrome name and icon in the notification, as seen in the example screenshot below.

Pop-up with a two-part box and a list of viruses on top, the Google Chrome logo and name in the middle is circled in red, and underneath it has an example address (in this case, "captchafine.live"). There are two buttons, Scan and Delete viruses, at the very bottom

  1. Locate the site name in the notification and write it down. (The name most likely won't match what's in the example screenshot (in this case, "captchafine.live").)
  2. Open Google Chrome.
  3. Click the three-dots icon in the top right corner of your window (beside your profile picture).
  4. Select Settings from the drop-down menu.
  5. Select Privacy and Security from the left navigation.
  6. Select Site settings under "Privacy and security."
  7. Select View permissions and data stored across sites under "Recent activity."
  8. Locate the site name you wrote down earlier. You can use the Search field above the "Delete all data" button to help narrow it down.
  9. You should delete all data associated with that site. Click the trash can icon to the right of the site's name and click Delete in the confirmation pop-up.
    1. If, for some reason, you still want to keep certain information from that site, click the down arrow to the left of the trash can icon, then click the right arrow next to the relevant URL.
    2. Find Notifications under the "Permissions" section.
    3. Click the drop-down to the right of Notifications and select Block.

If you are still receiving notifications after following the steps above, you may have multiple sites sending them. You can follow the steps again for each unique website that appears in the notifications.

Additional Information

Need additional information or assistance? Contact the ITS Service Center.

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